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What an unusual feeling: turn off the phone, isolate yourself from the world for a few hours, be unreachable to anyone. In recent years this has been deemed possible only in the plane. Even business people or managers should have secretly enjoyed this forced break without having to spend emails or phone calls. At the same time, this last treasure of inaccessibility disappears more and more.
For a long time, it has been technically possible to surf the Internet using airborne satellites. As technology becomes more sophisticated, experts are already talking about a "gold mine" for airlines.
"The high-speed Internet on board European domestic aircraft promises a huge friction for the entire industry," says Andreas Spaeth, aviation journalist, The London School of Economics, for example, badumes that D & # 39; here 2035 the global business figure of 130
billion. US Dollars (112 billion euros). $ 30 billion
accounted for only additional revenue from the airlines.
"Too expensive, too slow, no major innovation"
Although the Internet in the air has long been possible and particularly prevalent in the United States. In Europe, however, many airlines remain skeptical. This is mainly due to the technology used up to now, in which the data is transmitted by satellite to the aircraft receivers.
This is too expensive and the speed of the Internet is often "inadequate", according to the low-cost airline Ryanair. "We do not consider W-Lan as a big change, as more and more customers are downloading content on their personal device before the flight," the Irish airline said on request. the corresponding Wi-Fi offer in their machines. "The airline is considered a holiday airline, its customers are mainly families with children – where no employer takes the high fees." Our offers must therefore be attractive and also affordable for a private traveler, "he says.
The new technology as opportunity
This year, according to a recent study of the Federal Association of the German Aerospace Industry
about 47 Percentage of Internet respondents on board for a good cause. Five
there is still 40% .In the same period, the number of opponents has decreased.
Even the new technologies could make many airlines think in Europe .For example, Deutsche Telekom is currently testing its so-called EAN technology with the satellite company Inmarsat and Nokia.The data is transmitted not only by satellite, but
also via the LTE ignite via ground radio antennas in the aircraft – at speeds of up to 1,200 kilometers
per hour.
Nearly 300 antennas are positioned throughout Europe, says
David Fox, Head of Flight Services at Deutsche Telekom. Data transfer should be faster and cheaper. The first customer is the British airline IAG. The technology is still in the testing phase. "However, discussions are already taking place with other airlines," says Fox
Lufthansa as a pioneer
Lufthansa is also likely to be open-minded and has always been one of the pioneers of the Internet on board. The Group and its subsidiary Eurowings have been supporting a corresponding offer for long-haul flights for many years. "Since spring 2017, Lufthansa also offers Wi-Fi access on its German and European routes," said a spokeswoman. The service is not very cheap. In addition, the aviation giant admits that the quality of the satellite connection "is influenced by various environmental factors". In the transition between satellites, the transmission of data
could also be interrupted for a few minutes.
The low-cost airline Ryanair wants to keep an eye on the matter. "We will continue to observe how it evolves," says the company, but notes at the same time: "Some are even happy to be unable to be contacted during their flight and have a break in emails and social networks.
(APA / dpa)
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